Rimanelli puts into context Zimbabwe's current democratization crisis within a broader historical, political, international and economic framework. This book analyzes the country's turbulent politics and history by contrasting the biography narratives of how Mugabe and Smith rose to power and shaped rival nation-building destinies for their country. With a number of books published about Smith and Mugabe, this book is the first to compare and assess their visions for Rhodesia and Zimbabwe. Both individuals have profoundly affected the pathology of this country with its myriad successes and failures attributed to their joint creation. Ever since Smith's death in 2007, the debate has continued as to whether he was better or worse than Mugabe.